On politics in the Golden State

Democratic legislative leaders relieved by Gov. Brown's budget

January 10, 2013 | 2:20
pm

Democratic leaders in the California Senate said Thursday
that they were breathing a sigh of relief because the governor’s budget proposal does not include the deep cuts that have been required in recent years.

Senate
President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said he supports the governor's call for fiscal discipline, including the building of a rainy day fund and paying down the state debt. But he also suggested that Democrats would look for ways to restore funding to some programs previously cut.

"Whatever differences we may have
they are small differences by degree," Steinberg said, calling the
framework of the governors budget "solid."

"He made a good start
on reinvesting or suggesting that we reinvest in education and higher education,"
Steinberg told reporters at the Capitol. "I would only add that we cannot forget
and we won’t forget mental health [programs], dental care and subsistence for
the elderly and disabled as the year progresses. There may be an opportunity
through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act to address these kinds of
issues."

Senate Budget Committee
Chairman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) also was pleased that the new budget ends
a period of massive reductions to state programs.

"It is a breath of fresh air right
now," Leno added. "We have turned the corner."

Both said they will pursue big policy issues, including a proposal to give local
governments the ability to raise parcel taxes by a 55% vote. They also vowed to look at
reducing some tax credits to bring in more revenue.